Murray Presbyterian Messenger

    March 2010

 

 

 

“Acts for Today?”

Over the past several months our congregation has been studying the book of Acts.  The book of Acts tells us how the early church developed and grew under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit.  In Acts we also learn about Peter, Stephen, Paul, and other important biblical figures.  Acts is essentially a history of the early church and its leaders.  The title of the book—Acts—refers to the actions of the apostles.   

One of the goals of our church is to help people grow in their knowledge of the scriptures.  Another key task is to help our individuals apply the scriptures to their lives.  In order to accomplish these two tasks our church is starting an adult Sunday School starting Sunday, March, 14 at 9:00 a.m.   This class will be meeting at the Murray Town Hall and we will be diving into the book of Acts. 

This class will be utilizing a fantastic DVD teaching series called Deepening Life Together: Acts.  These DVD bible study videos are a great way to learn how to apply Acts to our lives.  They will also help us as we seek to grow in our understanding of this important biblical book.  The series has eight sessions and each session lasts for about fifteen minutes.  After watching the videos we will have a discussion time.  We will also be having doughnuts and juice.  I want to invite you to be apart of this adult Sunday School learning opportunity. 

 

                                   In Christ,

                                                                                                                                       Jeff

 

 

 

 

 

                  


 

Shirley Riekemann: Prayers for healing and strength. (825 N. Cotner Blvd – Lincoln, 68505)

Larry Bonnema: Prayers for healing and strength. (1201 Main Street – Plattsmouth, 68048)

Mary Jo Cobb: Prayers for healing and strength. (2350 East Lake Drive – Union, 68455)

Craig Mallett: Prayers for healing and strength. (8803 2nd Ave. – Murray, 68409)

Gladys Hauschild: Prayers for healing and strength. (7606 McKelvie Rd. – Nehawka, 68413)

Betty Tepner: Prayers for healing and strength for Betty and strength for Dixie Craft.  (5309 Crogans Way Rd. Council Bluffs, IA  51501)

Don Loftin:  Prayers for healing & strength. (9500 Milford Rd.-Beaver Lake, NE  68048)

Dave, Jenny, Samantha & Ella Cook:  Prayers of strength for the family & healing for Ella.

(9923 12th Street – Murray NE  68409)

Dennis Gochenour: Prayers for healing and strength.  (404 N. Elm Street – Weeping Water, NE  68453)

Nessie Swedlund: Prayers for healing and strength.  (P.O. Box 61 – Murray, NE  68409)

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Additional Prayer Concerns:

Rich Wordekemper: Prayers for Rich and his family as they mourn his mom’s passing. (3700 S. Westport Ave. #2659 – Sioux Falls, SD  57106-6360)

Cathy Balfour as she battles cancer. (11509 A Street-Avoca, NE  68307)

Nickey Johnson:  Prayers for Nickey and her family as they mourn the passing of her mother and father. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thoughts & Prayers for our shut-ins:

Lottie Johnson: Continual prayers. (Ambassador, 1800 14th Ave. #208, Nebraska City, NE 68410)

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Remember the members of our Armed Forces, who are serving overseas and stateside: 

 

Dave Cook

Troy Froistad

Kris Kidd

Philmore Williams

 

Continued Prayers of comfort for:

The Family of Rich Wordekemper

The Family of Nickey Johnson


 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Lillies     

If you are interested in ordering an Easter Lily in Memory of or to Honor someone you love, please complete one of the forms on the back table at church or complete the form below and send to the church.  The flowers will be available the week prior to Easter and are $7.00 each.  Please return the form with your money to the church office.

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Easter Lily Order Form

Number of Easter Lilies:__________

 

In Loving Memory (Honor) of:______________________________________________

 

Donated by:__________________________________________________                     

 

I would like to take my plant(s) after the worship service: YES or NO   (circle one)

                                  OR

My plant(s) may be delivered by the Deacons: YES or NO   (circle one)

 

CHECKS/CASH ($7.00 each) need to be PAID by Sunday,March 28th .

Please note in “Memo” line of check – “Payment for Easter Lily” for the Treasurer’s information.

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Reflect. Relax. Rejuvenate!
 

 

 

 

 


This is just a reminder to all the lucky women who will be attending the Women’s Retreat…

It is this Friday and Saturday!!!

What we’ll do…

·       Hear from a passionate and gifted speaker:

Dr. Nancy Grisham

·       Reflect on God’s love expressed fully through Jesus

·       Relax and enjoy some “girl time”

·       Rejuvenate our faith and our friendships

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Apportionment

Please prayerfully consider assisting the church with apportionment this year.

($28.75)    Thank You

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

 

 

 

Women’s Circle
 

 

 

 


March 10th at 7 PM

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Murray Presbyterian Church

                   T-Shirts

A new shipment of T-Shirts has arrived!!  We have all sizes available.  If you would like one, please see one of the Deacons.  The cost to you is $3.00.

 

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Prayer Chain

 

Please call 235-3323 or e-mail (Harold-laverne@inebraska.com) LaVerne Ebner if you have anything to put out on the prayer chain – no matter how small you may think it is!

 

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PLATTSMOUTH FOOD PANTRY                                       

Please remember the food pantry and those in need as you shop at the grocery store.  If you have any donations and you cannot get to the food pantry to drop them off, please bring them to church and we will be happy to deliver them for you!

 

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MEMBERSHIP CLASSES
 

 

 

 


If you are interested in attending a Membership Class - Pastor Jeff McDonald will be glad to talk to you!  Please call (402) 682-1439

 

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Liturgists

 If you are interested, please sign-up on the sheet on the back table.  Please participate and know that your service to the church is appreciated.  A special Thank You to all who have done so in the past.

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Please visit our website at www.murraypresbyterian.com to see the weekly bulletin, congregational life, and the monthly newsletter! 

Tell a friend!!!!!

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* Anniversaries 

 

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary to:

 

 

Dave & Jenny Cook                        3/5

Joe & Sue Eldred                            3/22

Jim & Nickey Johnson                  3/24

Tim & Karen Savage                      3/25

Dave & Patty Clawson                   3/29

Jeff & Krista McDonald               3/29

 

 

 

 

 *Birthdays                                

Happy Birthday to:

 


 

Lois Meeske                  3/1

Bruce Weisz                  3/1

Bruce Heylmun            3/5

Jerry Heylmun             3/5

Larry Swedlund            3/6

Drew Swedlund            3/8

Donna Tritsch              3/10

Marci Wordekemper   3/11

Dixie Craft                    3/12

Madison Vershchoor   3/12

Savannah Miner          3/15

Joyce McCaulla            3/16

Ann Wieringa               3/18

Karen Gregerson          3/25

Gracie Kliegl                 3/27

Cindy Loftin                 3/30

 

 

*If your Anniversary or Birthday is incorrect, please call the church so we can correct the error.

 


 

 

Where we’ve been in the Bible:  Study Guide 

 

2 Corinthians  (written about AD. 56)

-Corinth, Greece—major ancient commercial center.  Corinth has been referred to as the Las Vegas of the ancient world.

-Paul defends his ministry against false teachers—Judaizers.

-In 2 Corinthians Paul focuses on the centrality of the cross.

-Paul encourages the Corinthian Christians to be generous.

-Paul trusts in God for strength when he is weak and things are difficult. 

 

Philippians  (written about A.D. 61)

-Philippi, Macedonia (Northern, Greece).  Military retirement community.

-Very generous in their giving.

-Paul calls the Philippians to imitate Christ’s humility.

-He also instructs them to not put confidence in ritual, but rather in Jesus Christ.

-The quarrel between Eudia and Syntyche.  Paul pleads with them to agree with each other in the Lord.

-Paul tells the church at Philippi to put into practice whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

 

Colossians (written about A.D. 61)

-Colosse—located in what is today southwestern Turkey.

-Small town.  Various cults have an extremely strong presence in the community.

-Paul stresses that Christ is the Supreme creator and ruler of the universe.

-He teaches that Jesus is not just a way to God—Jesus is God.

-True fullness is to be found in Jesus Christ and not human traditions—festivals, religious diets, etc.

-Paul urges the Christians in Colosse to pray constantly and share their faith.

 

Philemon (written about A.D. 61)

-Paul wrote this letter to a wealthy man in Colosse named Philemon.

-Paul writes a very warm and appreciative letter to Philemon asking him to welcome back a slave named Onesimus.

-Onesimus had apparently stole money from Philemon and then ran away.

-Onesimus had a life changing conversion to God and somehow became friends with Paul in Rome.  Now Paul wants Philemon to welcome back Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

 

1 Thessalonians (written about A.D. 50)

-Thessalonica, Macedonia (Northern Greece).

-Thessalonica was a large commercial center and a major seaport. 

-Earlier Paul had started a riot there when he visited the town and preached the “Good News.”  (Acts 17) 

-Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonian Christian’s faith, defends his own ministry there, and rejoices that the Thessalonian Christians have accepted the word of God as it truly is the word of God (ch. 1 & 2).  These believers are doing a great job of sharing the faith. 

-Thessalonian Christians are being persecuted by unbelievers and tempted by Satan, but their faith is remaining strong (ch. 3).

-Paul gives instructions in Christian living—live a quite life, work, earn respect from outsiders by how you live (ch. 4).   Avoid immorality and love each other.

-Paul explains what will happen to believers—both the living and the dead—at the time of the second coming of Jesus (ch. 5).  Encourage one another and build each other up.  

 

Galatians

-Galatia (Central Modern Turkey)

-Paul writes this letter to the church in the region known as Galatia.   Written circa 47-48 A.D.

-The letter to the Galatians was written to emphasize the complete sufficiency of justification by faith alone in one’s relationship with God.

-This letter stresses that God has freed us from the project of self-salvation.

-The Galatian churches—where many new believers were Gentiles—were being strongly influenced to add traditional Jewish beliefs and practices to their newfound faith.

-While it was quite natural for Jewish Christians to continue to worship as they always had in the past, to require the same for Gentiles was, to Paul, tantamount to promoting a different gospel. 

 

James

-James was written as a practical letter to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Mediterranean world.

-James was the half brother of Jesus.

-Ch. 1:Don’t just be a hearer of God’s Word (scripture), but be a doer.  Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

-Ch. 2: Favoritism is forbidden in the church.  We are not saved by deeds, but deeds give evidence that you have faith.  Intellectual assent to God is not enough we must follow Him in our daily lives.

-Ch. 3: James focuses on the need to control your tongue.

-Ch. 4: Friendship with the ways of the world is hatred towards God.  Christians are to submit themselves to God and follow Him.

-Ch. 5: As we face suffering we are to be patient and stand firm.

 

1 Peter

-1 Peter was written by Peter to suffering Christians who were experiencing persecution.

-Written to various churches in northern Asia Minor (present day Turkey).  Written in the 60s.

-Peter reminded them of their heavenly hope and eternal inheritance so that they would be strengthened to persevere in the midst of suffering. 

-He emphasized that believers are called to live lives of holiness and love in the midst of trials.  

-Live like living stones who are built into a spiritual house with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. 

-Respond in a godly way to suffering and persecution.  Suffering can produce maturity in the Christian.

-Resist Satan and realize that there are other Christians suffering throughout the world.  

 

1 John

-The purpose of this letter was to expose false teaching about Christ and to give believers assurance of their salvation. 

 

2 John

-This short letter was written to warn against entertaining visitors who do not teach the truth about Jesus.  This is the only New Testament letter addressed to a lady. 

 

 

Acts

-Ch. 1= Jesus promises his apostles that they will receive the Holy Spirit.  He also tells his apostles that they “will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

-Ch. 2:1-21=On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit Comes to the early Christian believers.  A crowd from Jerusalem is attracted to where the Christians are. 

-Ch. 2:22-41=Peter preaches to the crowd that Jesus has been raised from the dead and is the Messiah.  He speaks to the crowd and they repent of their sins and turn to God.

-Ch. 2:42-47=Luke chronicles how the early Christian believers devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching, and to fellowship, and to the sharing of meals, and to prayer.  Believers in the early church shared their possessions and money with those in need.  Each day the Lord added to the church those who were being saved.

-Ch. 3:1-11=Peter heals the lame man at the gate.

-Ch. 4:1-16=Peter and John are arrested for healing the lame man.  They’re brought before the Sanhedrian Court.  Peter gives an inspiring speech before the court and he and John are released.

-Ch. 5:1-11=Luke records how Ananias and Saphira tried to deceive the church financially. God strikes them both down for their deception. 

-Ch. 6:1-7=The church dispute between the Hebrew speaking widows and the Greek speaking widows concerning the distribution of food.  Seven men appointed to oversee fair distribution.  Church continues to grow. 

-Ch. 7=Stephen becomes a leader in church and is subsequently arrested.  He is brought before the Sanherdian Court and defends himself.  He is stoned to death.  Saul is present at Stephen’s killing and approves of it.

-Ch. 9:1-19=Paul’s Damascus Road encounter with Jesus.  Through this encounter Paul goes from being one of the greatest enemies of the church to being the church’s greatest missionary. 

-Ch. 9:19b-30=Paul’s early preaching and threats to his life. 

-Ch. 10=The conversion of Cornelius.

-Ch. 11:19-30=The rise of the Gentile Church in Antioch.  Antioch is the first place believers are called “Christians.”

-Ch. 12:1-19=God frees Peter from prison.

 

 

Submitting Information ForThe Bulletin Or Newsletter

If you have information that needs to be put in the Congregational Life or Newsletter, please send an email to the church address, which is murraypresbyterian@windstream.net


Thank you!